Moving from Montgomery, AL to Huntsville, AL
Relocating between Montgomery, AL and Huntsville, AL is a 190 mi drive β 3h 34m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
190 mi Β· 3h 34m by car Β· AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 565, US 72 ALTERNATE |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Montgomery | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.682 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.907 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 64.347 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Montgomery +1.1%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Montgomery | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 54.3" |
Expect 5.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Light snow year: Huntsville gets around 2.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MONTGOMERY 6SW, AL US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Montgomery | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $55,687 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.33 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.8% β $55,687 β $70,778 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 23,600 | $39,750 |
| Production Occupations | 22,310 | $44,450 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,530 | $38,160 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,460 | $94,520 |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | 19,870 | $107,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Huntsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Huntsville averages 54.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Huntsville, AL from Montgomery, AL?
The driving distance is 190 mi and the route typically takes 3h 34m via I 65 and I 565. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Montgomery vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $55,687 in Montgomery β a 27.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to Montgomery?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $40,220 in the Montgomery MSA, on total employment of 250,940 and 160,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Huntsville more expensive than Montgomery?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 3.8% higher than Montgomery (93.072 vs 89.682, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Montgomery to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 190 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to Montgomery?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $151,228 in Montgomery β a 90.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Montgomery.
City profiles: Montgomery, AL Β· Huntsville, AL.